Men's basketball: CU Buffs dominate Hartford

Boyle's team finishes 10-2 in nonconference play

BOULDER--It's no secret the stakes, in addition to the competition, is going to increase dramatically in the very near future for the CU men's basketball team.

Saturday's matinee, which saw the Buffaloes return from an eight-day holiday hiatus to complete their nonconference schedule against Hartford, showcased a Buffs squad looking much like the team that dismantled Northern Arizona in its previous pre-break tilt.

While past two games certainly failed to provide the sort of competition CU must brace for when it opens Pac-12 Conference play on Thursday at nationally-ranked Arizona -- indeed, CU's eventual 80-52 victory on Saturday hardly was in doubt not long after the Coors Events Center crowd settled into their seats -- CU once again did not allow any aspect of its game grow lax against an inferior opponent.

Like last week's win against Northern Arizona, CU dominated Hartford on the glass, battled defensively, and never turned off the gas while improving to 10-2 for the first time since the 2005-06 season.

"You look at our first unit, and they were playing at a high level and really playing together," CU coach Tad Boyle said. "They were sharing the ball, they were moving the ball. And we've got to rely on each other. I told the team that there's not one guy in here who can beat the Pac-12 on their own. You have to do it together, as a collective group."

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After shooting a season-best .667 from the floor against Northern Arizona, the Buffs wasted little time shaking off whatever rust had accumulated over the previous eight days. CU shot 18 for 30 (.600) during the first half while quickly piling it on Hartford. The Buffs scored the game's first 11 points, making six of their first seven shots and turning that lone miss into a basket after an offensive rebound.

Meanwhile, Hartford missed six of its first seven shots and never recovered. CU jumped to a 26-6 lead and built a 47-21 lead at halftime. CU extended its cushion to as much as 37 points during the second half before cruising to the win.

"I think we're just coming out ready to go," freshman forward Josh Scott said. "I think we learned our lessons from the Texas Southerns and Wyomings that we have to come ready to play. It shows our maturation."

CU received double-doubles from Scott (21 points, 10 rebounds) and Andre Roberson (14 points, 14 rebounds). Askia Booker contributed 19 points for the Buffs while combining with Scott and Roberson to give CU a 23 for 33 effort from the floor. Sophomore guard Spencer Dinwiddie finished with 11 points, six rebounds, and six assists.

If there was a coaching point in the aftermath for Boyle to ruminate as his club prepares for Arizona, it was the production of his team's bench. Despite extended minutes, CU's reserves contributed just 12 points while being responsible for 11 of the Buffs' 21 turnovers.

"I like where we are, but I do think our bench has to continue to get better," Boyle said. "We have to develop that as the year goes on. We've got some capable guys coming off that bench that we're going to have to count on at times during this run."

Notable

CU has topped 10,000 in attendance in five of six home games. ... The Buffs have outrebounded their opponents in 9 of 12 games. ... Roberson's double-double was his sixth of the season and 31st of his career. ... CU hoops alum Levi Knutson, on break from playing professionally in Poland, was in attendance.

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